Water softener



E. J. DE VILLE A ril 18, 1950 WATER SOFTENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 6, 1944 3 mm Q w IN VENTOR,

TTORNEY.

E. J. DE VILLE April 18; 1950 WATER SOFTENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 6, 1944 'llll'll 1" IIIIIIIIIIl/II.

E. J. DE VlLLE WATER SOFTENER April 18, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 6, 1944 April 18, 1950 E. J. DE VILLE 2,504,816

' WATER SOFTENER Filed Nov. 6, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WWORNEY.

i 'atented Apr. 18,

2,504,816 WATER soF'rENEit Edward J. De Ville, Dayton, Ohio, assignor, by de cree of distribution, to Helen De Ville and Clara;

Quartel Application November 6, 1944, Serial No. 562,122

19 Claims.

apparatus of the base exchange type, and more particularly to a semi-automatic apparatus wherein the cycle of regeneration having been manually initiated, will be automatically continued through successive stages until finally returned to the normal operating or service condition.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of a water softening apparatus, whereby it may not only be economically manufactured and operated, but will be more efficient in use, automatic in its operation after the cycle thereof has been initiated, uniform in its action, of compact form, having a minimum number of operative parts, and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved synchronized valve mechanism for controlling the directions of flow of water and brine into and out of the softening tank in predetermined sequence.

A further object of the invention is to provide a manifold unit intermediate the softening tank and the valve mechanism with which the various supply and service and the regeneration conduits connect, and which enables removal of the valve mechanism for inspection or repairs without the necessity of disconnecting any of the supply, service or regeneration conduits.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement wherein the water softening tank may be quickly and easily interchanged from up flow to down flow operation, and vice versa, without disconnection of any supply, service or regeneration conduits.

A further object of the invention is to provide a water softening apparatus having the advantageous structural features and the inherent meritorious characteristics and mode of operation hereinafter set forth.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an assembled water softening apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the control valve mechanism while in normal operating or service condition, wherein the raw or hard water is being supplied to the chemi- 2 cal treatment bed, and the resulting softened water delivered for use.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, partly broken away, illustrating the valve mechanism while in the regeneration or brine supply position, wherein salt brine is being supplied to the main tank for reconditioning the exhausted chemical treatment bed preparatory to treatment of a further hard water supply.

Fig. 4 is a like View, showing the valve mechanism in the refill and rinse or wash position, wherein the remains of the regeneration brine treatment are being eliminated, and the brine tank is being replenished by admission of water to form more salt brine preparatory to the next regeneration period.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the valve mechanism on line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the valve cylinder on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a detail front elevation of a fioat controlled trip mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the operating handle by which the cycle of reconditioning is initiated.

Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively a top plan View and a side elevation of a manifold through which the valve mechanism is variously connected with the water supply and service system, and with the reconditioning brine tank, and in optionally variable relation with the main treatment tank.

Figs. 11 to 14. show a modified form of manifold in which the down pipe is permanently attached, Fig. 11 being a top plan view of a manifold showing the connections for downflow operation.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the modified manifold showing the connections for upflow operation.

Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of one of the valves used in the manifold of Figs. 11 and 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view of the manifold shown in Fig. 12.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The present water softening apparatus is of that type wherein a hard water supply holding in solution more or less lime, or lime and magnesium, is admitted to a primary or softening tank I, wherein it is filtered either downwardly or upwardly, known as up flow or down flow systems respectively, through a filter body 2 of green sand or double silicates known as zeolites, which have the peculiar characteristic of changing their bases. If they possess a calcium base when brought into contact with a potassium or salt solution, they give up their calcium to the solution and take the potassium therefrom as their base. When subsequently brought into contact with a solution containing calcium, or calcium and magnesium, they equally readily re-exchange their potassium base for the calcium. In the present instance the zeolite filter bed 2, which is superposed upon a bed 3 of inert gravel, alternately subjected to infiltration of hard water containing lime which is precipitated or taken up by the zeolites, and

to periodic infiltration of salt brine frorr aseeondary or regeneration tank 4, for the potassium V of which the previously acquired lime or calei urn 'mechanism is contained in 'a housing comprising-a domed medial chamber 6, from which extend opposed valve cylinders 1 and 8 containing 3 du'pleir reciprocatory valve mechanism, is actuated iiito alternate positions and an intermediate position' in predetermined e nee- 7 Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and l, which illustrate the valve mechanism in successive operative positions, to wit, -service,,regeneration and ,w-ase nd fillafle p c iv l w are identical dual valve assembliesin each of the valve housing cylinders -la nd 8 e The respective pairs o f evalves are interconnected by a-reciprocatory Valve stem 9, having 7 at-its middlea'cross head lfi engaged by a crank It; carried "by a main shaft lg, to which is connected a manually operablehand lever IS. Thereciprocatory valve stem 9 is urged in one direction (toward the right in the drawings) by a-coilgspring'Hipositionedin the dome of the medial chamber 6, one arm of which abuts upon the-inner wall of the chamber 6, and the other arm of which exerts reactive thrust influence upon an upstandinglug l projecting from the -hea l-y These valves are arranged in pairs, comprising a hard water inlet valve I6 cooperating with a valve seat ll, and-a wash water supply valve 18 cooperating with a perforate valve seat I5! in the left hand valve cylinder 1. In the opposite valve cylinder 8 are a wash water drain valve r2ll cooperating with a perforate valve seat zlj'and'a-brine or regeneration valve 22 having a--valve seat '23. In the medial reconditioning chamber fi is a refill port valve 24 operative during'the regeneration period to close a port f25 through which the brine tank d is otherwise refilled. The valves l8 and 20 of each pair are provided with tubular bodies or barrels 26 and 21 internally flanged at 28 at their extremities. The valve bodies 16 and 22 are telescopically adjustable within the barrels 26 and 21. rThe valves I6 and 22 are provided with peripheral flanges 29, abutting upon the internal flanges to limit independent outward reciprocation under the influence of springs 30 wit hir1 the respective barrels 26 and Z'lagainst the yielding resistance of which the valves of eaeh pairare movable one relative to the other. r The barrel 21in the housing cylinderj or greater length than that of the opposite valve H3 in the cylinder 1, and is provided with a medial partition 3|. The valve 2,?) is also teles'copically mounted in the inner end of the barrel 21, which is internally flanged at 32 for abutting engagement with a peripheral flange 33 on the valve 20. The valve 26 and barrel 27 are yieldingly adjustable against the tension of a spring 35 enclosed within the barrel 2? at the inner side of the partition 3|. The construction is such that upon movement of the valve stem 9 to close the valve I3 upon its seat IS, the internal flange zs of the barrel 26in the left hand cylinder 1,; engages the peripheral flange 29 of the valve Hi to retract it from its seat I? and open 119 Ka B he ame mo men f t e valve filth? barrel. Him the I t an v er ir de' rie mai ed t wa d, the r ht n fprces he, al a a ti eat. .31; n er en i n o e ene sedi ns. are o e uch. a v Br h ei pavemen he fia si n n r nd eitheberre fl 'j a ed q n as he eri eral flange 33 of the valve to retractthe valve 9;. way lQm. t eat 2! m rml al e h v lve. q l ndersl an w ha e nd t fifi e es ee rely q ne iins e. ads o t lindrs nd h va ve ats 1 x113 l liihe ellif ld o the i y P Qit I r ins tank h each likewi e av ra aees and. .33 ires e tirely. .eqmm niq tins wi h h swin ers. term d te. t e; e pe ve valves therein, and, connecting the cylinders respectively with the hard water inlet daiof; the manield fig l ithe drain p an t-4Q her qf- Wiwicq er uise-Ope t on.

Referring to Fig. 2, whichshowsthe valves in their operating or service. I relations," the .hard wtr eriftering through'the inlet 39 of the mani- (se'eFigQ' 9) passesupwardiy through the V .oi the valvehousing to the l and thence'outwardly toward the head ylirider andfpast' the open valve l6 and thr ugn theipa'ssagef 35, 'which registers with a counterbore iq tnor the manifold and therethrough intofthe tankffLT'If the apparatus is adapted IorTup floW?operation, a pipe M hav- "'g'tennin l nange 4i" i'sfsuspen ded in the t''rb d po rt ".35',' which conducts the inng har wat'erj'supfilythrough the filter bed 2 "to the bottom of the tank. From the bottom of the tank the waterjs permitted free flow upweirdly through the fzeol ites to the space in the tofi'oiflth'' taiikfl above the filter bed 2 from ivl'i ehfit passes tlirougn'the sort Water port #2 and'ouuet 52615 the manifold 5 to the Soft water service lines. If the apparatus isto be used as a""d'own'.flow. system, it}. is only necessary to transferthe flanged pipe ilfrom the port 35 to theso'ft water portllz fl'which also is countersunk to receive the flanged end il -of the pipe 4], whichismerelysuspended in the port and secured y; the ovenymgpo r'uori or the valve housing. In such down new? operation the water entering the tank asbefore through the manifold port 35' er'itrslthefreespacein the top of the tank and per a'tes'downwa'rdly through'the filter bed 2 to f the ottorri: ofthe tank, from which it returns through .the'fpip'ef l I. which has been transferred fro'rri'theport 35"to the outlet port 42.

, Duringthe soitening or service operation period of the unit, valve 20; is held in open position there-.- by interepnnecting chambers 6 and 1 of the COIL: 75 trelrmt- .The ints:noecliate.prlmirdv chamber 6 is consequently continually connected with the drain through the second chamber 8, and passage 38 to drain 4|]. Any seepage or leakage through valve l8 which might occur during the passage of water through chamber 1 is therefore continually drained from the control unit preventing unintentional creation of any pressure within the chamber 6.

Regeneration operation When after a period of softening operation the filter bed 2 has changed to a calcium base and is no longer capable of attracting the calcium and magnesium content of the passing water, but is in an exhausted condition, it is revived by being subjected to circulation therethrough of salt brine to which it gives up its calcium base, and from which it acquires a potassium base. To set in operation the regeneration cycle, the hand lever I3 is manually moved through an arc of approximately forty-five degrees from the I position of Fig. 1 to the II position. Such movement of the lever |3 partially rotates the shaft |2 to oscillate the crank to the position shown in Fig. 3, which shifts the cross head In and the valve stem 9 toward the left.

Such movement of the cross head and valve stem closes the valve |6 to shut ofi the hard water supply through the passage 35 to the tank, and simultaneously opens the valve l8 to admit hard water from the supply passage 36 to the medial chamber 6. A port 43 discharges hard water under pressure from the chamber 6 through a venturi 44, to which is connected a brine conduit 45 leading from the brine tank 4. There is thus created a suction influence upon the brine conduit 45, by which brine drawn from the tank 4 is intermixed with the water supply from the port 43 and discharged through the valved passage 46, having therein a check valve 41, and through the port 46' in the manifold 5 into the primary tank I. While the operation of the hand lever |3 to initiate the regeneration period, as just described is manual, the subsequent adjustment of the apparatus is automatically controlled by a timing trip device illustrated in Fig. '7 and controlled by a float 48 in the brine tank 4.

Connected with the hand lever I3 is an angularly extending arm 49, having at its extremity a laterally projecting stud 5|]. As the hand lever approaches the limit of its manual adjustment from position I to position II, Fig. 1, it passes over a spring actuated pawl 5| pivoted upon the upper end of a reciprocatory L-shaped bar 52. This trip device is contained within a separate chamber 54 at the front of the medial chamber 6 of the valve housing. The bar 52 is confined to a parallel movement up and down in accordance with the rise and fall of the float within the brine tank 4 by a pair of oscillatory links 55. The reciprocatory L-shaped member 52 includes an arm 56 connected by a link 56' with a float arm 57, from the extremity of which is suspended the float 48 which rises and falls with change of fluid level of the brine content of the tank 4. The rise and fall of the float 48 thus transmits unison movement of less degree to the L-shaped member 52. The stop lug 5|] is engaged by the pawl 5| at the limit of manual movement of the hand lever to temporarily hold the latter and the reciprocatory valve stem 9 and connected valves in their operated condition (Fig. 3). In this position the valve 24 carried by the crank overlies and closes the refill port 25 in the rear wall of the chamber 6.

While the parts continue to be held in such osttion by detent engagement of the pawl 5| with the stop lug 55 of the operating handle arm 49, brine from the regeneration tank 4 continues to be supplied to the filter bed within the softening tank I to revive the zeolites and recondition the filter bed by changing its chemical base from calcium to potassium characteristic. The regeneration period is determined by the time required for descent of the float 48 a predetermined distance within the tank 4. This in turn is determined by the time required to discharge a predetermined quantity of brine from such tank. During this' regeneration period the brine being supplied to the tank I percolates through the filter body 2 to the bottom of the tank, and returns thence through a pipe 5| and port 6| of the manifold 5 to the passage 31 leading to the head end of the valve cylinder 8 and thence past the valve 22, which stands open under the described conditions, and through the valve cylinder to the passage 38 which is in communication with the drain or waste outlet 46 of the manifold 5.

As the brine supply is withdrawn from the tank 4 through the brine conduit 45 by the suction influence of the Venturi tube 44' and discharged thence through the passage 46 and manifold port 46 into the tank I, the member 52 and with it the spring pawl 5| are drawn downwardly in unison with the descent of the float 48. Before the pawl is quite withdrawn from its engagement with the stop lug 56 at the extremity of the arm 49, a lower stop surface 59 of the member 52 is moved into the path of a second stop lug 60 adjacent the junction of the arm 49 and the handle lever l3. When the pawl 5| is finally disengaged from the stop 55 by descent of the member 52, the reaction of the coiled spring I4 in the chamber 6 automatically shifts the cross head It and valve stem 9 and associated valves from the regeneration or brine position of Fig. 3 to the "wash and brine tank refill position of Fig. 4. The same movement under reaction of the spring |4 automatically moves the hand lever i3 from the II position of Fig. l to the III position thereof.

Back wash and refill operation The several parts having been moved to the Fig. 4 position by the reaction of the spring l4 and arrested by the engagement of the stop lug 60 with the surface 55 of the member 52, the valve positions remain as before. The hard water supply valve It remains closed, as does also the valve 26, while the valves l8 and 22 remain open. The valve 24, however, carried by the crank is shifted out of overlapping relation with the refill port 25, which also is now open.

Hard water entering through the inlet 39 flows through the passage 36 into the valve cylinder 1 and thence through the open valve l8 into the medial chamber 6. It continues to flow through the jet port it to the venturi and simultaneously through the refill port 25, which has been opened by the shift of the valve 24, to the venturi below its nozzle which destroys the suction thereof. The water supply may be directed from the refill port 25 directly into the brine conduit 45 with the same effect. The vacuum or suction of the Venturi tube having been destroyed, brine will no longer be withdrawn from the tank 4, and hard water supplied from the chamber 6 through the jet port 43 will be supplied through the valved passage 46 and port 46' in the manifold to the tank I. The Wash water thus supplied will fol-.-

through the-filter bedtothebottofi'of'th'e and therice upwardly through" the p 'e'B porttl Qandthe'passage '37 to thehe valve cylinder 8; fpast theope g'vaiveee valyej cylinder w the" passagett whiefh niuhieates with the wa'st'e o'rf dlfain' o'fitI the mamrom- This cl'lfculatiorf of" wa ash from the zeoht'efiltef bed 'a'n'y rental bri-rie anci irnpprities'left by" the plfv i'oirsT water"oirulations The 'wa'shperi d is 'dete v l .a n d, inflate steam-f thetta I lto'filter new g V e a a the resulting soft Water iswith wn from the top of the tail ?thifiughtYiserVme outlet 42.

mihed by the rise of the neat-e8 withmi th ga fb hr'c'g r tab-k e the supply'o'f brine i replenis ed lqy watersupplied from the; chamberf 6 to the tan lg bi reverse flow;throughthe brineconduit 4: 5; the-float $8 *rises to its" maximiimj 'pos'itiori at="the*riormai'-levelioif the brine coriterfts oiifthe W H 4 po M a tank;-the memberfiz islikewise raisedsu'fiici'ehtly lfiiihicatiirig V th the seryiee olitlet 411 2 to-raise'the sto15 surface 59' thereon"ahovejthfe V It"i sl'dgrp he 'ssary or desirahle that the level of-thestep lug 6G"whichfis-re1easedthereby; he ehgzpgeci afterthe ap z a; Likewise; the pawl-il isrestored to the path" of nst alled. H' ver {or GQOIQQI'QY: the stop lug'fiai Uporipelease-ofthejstopflug of".nianfifacture andlto m n ie thest opk e;

ea er. u ii'iui; b en; tr xle ierred ort e2 comassociated valves, and withthern the hand lever 3 epa'ble'of be'i'zi" optionally cor iyertedjgo l3bacle-to the normal or fse'rvic e position illustrated in Fig. 2. Ther'evived apparatus'isthen in condition for a sd'cceeding" period of active water softening operation. V V r p I,

During the regeneration; wash and refill op: 3 6"4215351 Wm M eration periodsof the unit, discharge-"of' water lgskll r0" 1ea var atioiilwher e n 1s shgwria through the-serviceline {32 is prevented by; a" nfitl'y ioeeta dowhipipe'63 which maybe cheelivalve 'iil- (Fi gi l) which normally ptevents alternately conr'iee'ted with a; hard wate'r inlet baGk fi6Wpf-S'efte1'1ed-waterfromthe'servicelinef brt gem th mafiifolafgitir ing with th q 'i'f' into the softening apparatus. Sio-long-as'the 3 t'ro unit passage 35, veorre spo dirjg to the pressure on -the di's'char'ge side 'Hfiof the-valve previoii'sli"rhehti ohefniafiifold port tjjand a q ea r than the pressure within of tlet""p5r't cohfioted with the service outlet thetank lg water wilbnotfidw from the-tarik' tof t2an'd 'corresporiclihg' -to: the Dr f iQusW described the liiie Ti Duringtheregeneration; wash' ahd manifold poift tfi". flne'har'd "wet; l refill cycles, additional pressure is applied'to the ampum-ea pe ms ar eaenpibtideawith a; check 'valve 'w throughbyepassiito maintain reti'olfihlfip ajdjtist'able thiifihle valve orz bilishiil the valve-c1osed against thepresslire withihthe hd"""'re p'etit 3 The o 4 M tank l. As' p'revi'ously explained-'- the regen'eratibng wash and refill op-rations arjcoritr'olled' by thefiow ofiwater-through the int-ernHdiate cli'ah1 4 her 6 in the control unit. There is a'small by pass passage the control unit; i tereo necting the chamber 6 with the passage F3 in the manifold EJ'td-Whiehthe by -pa-ss' condtfit is connecte'el? Tlifis dilrihg thefreconditioh M g opera} tioh's; wa ter from thehamb'ert oreatesaddition'al pressure on the check valve 1% to mai tain itfirr closed peei-tion thereb pr-eventing flow of brih'e dr wash Water throiign the service o itlet 6:2 to" theservice -li'he 'lli Duringthisperiodthe'valves' in the eontr olunit are so positioned that the brirl a nd wash water a e from 'the "tank I -tof the waste outlet tfi therebj preventi g the Creeltie'ii-of excessive-pressure withinthfetank sufiicieht to-overcome" the" resistahceof ft eve-w To' enjable s-1; of; the filter bedi r aion ei '1 period-or 'more'thoroughiy than afiordedbyithd automatic eontrolapparatus, there is provided" a? supplemental "drain 'Outlet' 62" from 'thef'ftarilc'i to waste; whiizh'is not subjectto "eontrol iby the valyed control' unit; but"wo'uld have abut-off valve provided in" drain conduit therefrom" (notpsh'own'); ater maybe delivered tethe tank through" the inlet "39' and" controlTuiii'fpa's' sages, tothe pipe M and filtered upwardly throughtl'ie'filt'ihe i fbi indefinite pr'iOdsa-fid disbhalfdj thloughthesupplementaldram out1'e't'62'whb1ly1 I v independentlyoi thefoperation' ofthedesfibe'd'" valilsiarefsgqhjegttoopeiatiohhyaohdinon et fi- Q system; x 7 j 1 V r atrfwithim fiiifited i'aneethe'seVer' The-apparatus as-meraie" d'sribd wll "capab1e of difierential movement ofie iii penda a lqe rrthalebn f jiiul erted from up flow t ently of another. The valve I8 is connected to and movable in unison with the reciprocatory valve stem 9 to a closed position during the service or softening period, as shown in Fig. 2, to a wide open position during the regeneration period, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and to an intermediate, but also an open, position while in the wash and refill position of Fig. 4. The hard water supply valve I6 is yieldingly connected with the reciprocatory valve stem, whereby it is held closed under the reactive tension of the coil spring 30 while the reciprocatory valve stem is adjusted to both the regeneration and wash and refill positions relative to the stationarily held hard water supply valve l6. However, when the valve stem is shifted to completely close the valve l 8, as in the service position Fig. 2, the barrel 26, which is fixedly connected with the valve l8 and has sliding engagement with the valve I6, is coupled to the latter by the interengagement of the flange 2B of the barrel 26 with the flange 29 upon the valve to retract the valve to open the passage ll as the gageable with one or the other of the valves 20 or 22 to retract such valves to open the corresponding passages. The coupling of the valve 22 with the reciprocatory valve stem is identical with that of the initial valve I6. That is, at the approach to the limit of its independent movement toward the left in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the barrel flange 28 engages with the valve flange 29 to retract the latter, while in the opposite direction it is capable of limited independent movement against the tension of the corresponding spring 30 after the valve is closed. In the latter event the valve 20 is retracted from its seat by the interengagement of the barrel flange 32 with the valve flange 33, such retractive movement being independent of the brine valve 22, which remains closed, and against the tension of its spring 30. The series of valves are thus differentially subjected to the common actuator.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claimr 1. A water softening apparatus wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a bed of base exchange materials followed by filtration of regeneration fluid therethrough and the regenthe cycle of operation, a retracting spring ten sioned by operation of the hand lever for automatically returning the valve stem and associated valves through a step by step movement, a disengageable stop for arresting and subsequently releasing the valve stem and associated valves at the limit of their full range movement under influence of the hand lever, a second disengageable stop for arresting and subsequently releasing the valve stem and associated valves in a mid-range position of return movement under influence of the tensioned spring, a container for regenerating fluid from which fluid is drawn during the regenerating portion of the operating cycle, a float therein and stop operating mechanism operated by the float for disengaging the stops to release the valve stem and associated valves from successive positions in which they shall have been arrested, in accordance with fluctuations of the fluid level of the regenerating fluid supply.

2. A water softening apparatus wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a bed of base exchange materials followed by filtration of regeneration fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operations, characterized by a valved control unit by which the sequence of the operative cycle is determined, including a series of three interccmmunicating chambers in said unit, hard water inlet and outlet passages to one of said chambers, a valve controlling intercommunication of said passages through said chamber, regenerating fluid inlet and outlet passages to a second of said chambers, a valve controlling the intercommunication of said passages through said second chamber, a third chamber with which the first and second chambers communicate, separate valves controlling the intercommunication of the third chamber with th first and second chamber, an outlet from said third chamber, a valve therefor, actuating means common to the series of valves, means for actuating the valves inunison through a full stroke movement in one direction and for returning the valves in unison through successive partial stroke movements to their initial positions, and stop means therefor governed by escape of Water from said third chamber.

3. A water softening apparatus wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a bed of base exchange-materials followed by filtration of regeneration fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operations, characterized by a valved control unit by which the sequence of the operative cycle is determined, including a chamber therein, an inlet conduit throughwhich water under pressure is supplied thereto, a, Venturi tube outlet therefrom, a supply tank for renegerating fluid connected with said Venturi tube outlet whereby regenerating fluid is drawn from said supply tank by the discharge of water under pressure from said chamber through said .Venturi tube for filtration of the mixture thereof through the filter bed, a second outlet for water under Pr ssure-It aid lte i u t b .t i

fluid a e at V treatm nt ha i than .r Inaterial' therein, followed filtra on a of, a

QQQQQMQQ t qu ii ,whis=ls .d st d ihesiiq oe e i 1d tun t be and a rests-the su elye zra ea iet a va ve in sa d ve 9l mean ".reri diqailyo erati g thev QIYFf 19 29 :19 t eua qe a d ycleie qnera en Qithe aen ra 'sr l r 7 4- A wa e oftenin app rat s wher in asap: p y o ha d y ainrv is. i ltercdthroush atbe .015 as e h n aterials ioll wed :by' fi ra io o regeneration :tfluio therethmueband the re e rated .filt ribed w sh d. prepara to r reti onof the ycleot oper tions,charact i e by Hal ed I contro it byiwhich he sequen e o the o era tire cycle is d t rm ned;in lud n a i 5 pithree intereommunicat n chambers- L ali ned relati n within 'said u i a' ries of pa sages the n leadin to a d fr mldifier nt parts of th filterbedia series ofralves control in said has: sages and the intercomrnunioation between the cham r a'r c r atory valv stem comm nto saidseries of valves; means for adjusting the commonvalve stem to adjustthe valves in un son, into-alternate operative positions, stop meansifqr temporarily arresting the valve stem and aSSQa ciated'va'lves in an intermediate position during their movem'entin one" directionto regulate-the sequentiarcycle of operation before mentioned, and 'aut'omat'ieimean's' for releasing the valve stem and valvesfor completion of their return to'their'initial'positions. i water'softening apparatus having a soften.- ing'tankwherein is contained a filter bed oi base exchange materials through which hard water to be softened 'i's filtered, characterized by a. valved. control unit directing fluid flow through said filter bed in a," cycle of softeninggregeneration and Washing operations; including a manifold, sundry connections therethroughfrom the valved control unit" to the tank and'from the'tank to the ex! terior'thereof; including two valved passages: therein, both "of :Which'comniunic'ate' with the tank, and one of' w hich communicates. with'the control unit to 'receivehard water therethrough to'besbftened and" the other communicates with the'exterior-of'the apparatus to discharge softened water'therethroughf'a'down pipe extending from th top of the tank into proximate relation'with the bottom or the 'filterbed common tosaid two valved passages,"and valve means for alternately connectingfihje' respective valved passages with the'tank'and with said'dowri pipe, the "construe; tion' and arrangement being'such that the? hard vatr pa sage may be made to uisch 'rg'jdi reetiy tothe tofiof'th tank andfilter'bd'therein and the common :pipebe made to collect softened waterfrom' a lower regionof theflfilter'b'ed and 'd'ischargeit through the'other valved connection to" the exterior o'fthe apparatus, rig-"said hard" wat rpassage optionally connect d e t y t t pipe iordischa'rg'e of the hard water supply therethrough'to' roximate relation with the'bottom of sages' connected" with the" top of the tank and mtg bed-for discharg or oftenedw ter thereno '4 the exterioroftheiapparatus.. V

6 1 was, So ten ?"a iarawsfiei V the t pe w e ia surrlv o ard Wa r i fi red th ou h exchange 12 trashe chara e iz b a e re e d with the treatment tank, a series of controlling the flow of .s l t qn 9 en a i fibrillatio o as w ie re at e i and op j iah r n u is i to X- -y po tion and nter d e o rativ sitions vman al ac uat m an o m ing the common operator to adjust the valves f iqi 9 B f litHl PQSi QI t he r an actuse ientl ating spring tending to automaticall return the, ralyeszto. theiricr e nal o n d nt mean o tempora ily ret nin the valves in the posion to whi they'wer manually adjusted, a f0ra tresiine-thevalves in their intermediate. pos ops, a ,float in the regenerating fluid con,- ai ie a floatcontro led mechanism for auto.-

matical diseneaai asaid detent to release the a li-e8. from th ir operated'positions prepa ory to theirjarrest in said intermediate positions, by

" said, 5 29 and 02 subsequentlydisengaging the stop to release said valvesfrom their intermediate positions for return to their original positions in qqrnpletion of said cycle of operation, in accorde with change of fluid level of the regeneratn lfl id s pply- '7 A water softening apparatus of the type wherein asupply of hard water is filtered through a treatment tank having a bed of base exchange 'material thereinfollowed by filtration of a regenerative fluid fromfa container "therefor through the filter bedg'and the regeneratedfilter bed subsequently washed, characterized by a con-l trol lmit associated with the treatment tanlia hard waterisupplylpassage, a regenerating fluid supply passage and wash water passage in said unit communicating with the'treatment tank, a solids of control valves in aligned relation controlling said passages, a reciprocatory valve stem commodto. a plurality of said valves, manual means'for' shifting the common valve stern and associated'valvesin one di'rectionto close the hard Water supply valve and open the regenerating fluid'valva'spring means tensioneol by the manual adjustment of the valve stem for returning" the 'rciproeatory'valve stemand restoring the: valves to their original positions, a detent for temporarily maintaining thcommon valve stem in position tomaintain thehard Water control valve closed and regenerating fluid valve open, a float in the regenerating fluid container operativetorelease said valve mechanism upon predeterminedchange or level of the regenerat ing'fluid supply, a stop arresting the valve control mechanism in an intermediate position whereinthe'supply' offregenerating fluid is ari rested "and a wash water supply substituted there a 8; A Water softening apparatus of the type wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a"treatmnt tank ha'ving a bed of base exchange material therein followed by filtration of a re generating fluid therethrough and the regenerated'filter he'd" Washedpreparatory to readmission of hard water thereto, "characterized by a manifold on topofrthe tank through which all exterioriconnections are made to the" apparatus, a valve unit mounted on the manifold, inlet and outlet passages in the manifold communicating with the tank at the top and at the bottom of the filter bed therein, and communicating with ews u want d. h eo a Series r valves in said valvejunitlcontrolling the flow resulting softened water,

the passages in said manifold into andout of the tank, means for periodically actuating the valves to initiate different periods in the cycle of operation, a supply tank for regenerating fluid, a float therein, arresting and release means for the control valves, and means for governing the actuation of the valves by the rise and fall of the float in the regenerating liquid tank the construction and arrangement being such that the valve unit may be bodily removed from the manifold without disturbing the exterior connections to the apparatus.

9. A water softening apparatus of the type wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a treatment tank having a bed of base exchange material therein followed by filtration of regencrating fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed, characterized by a control unit, a manifold unit interposed between the tank and the control unit, inlet and outlet ports in the manifold communicating with the tank and control unit and by-pass ports interconnecting said tank and control unit, a series of valves in the control unit controlling the flow of hard water, regenerating fluid and wash water in a predetermined sequential cycle of operation, and actuating means therefor, the construction and arrangement being such that all external supply, discharge and drainage connections to the tank and control unit are made through said intermediate manifold independently of direct connection with the tank and control unit.

10. A water softening apparatus wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a bed or base exchange materials followed by filtration of regeneration fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operations characterized by a valved control unit by which the sequence of the operative cycle is determined, including a series of control Valves therein adjustable in unison into alternate extreme positions and an intermediate position, manual means for adjusting the valves from one extreme position to the other, an actuating spring tensioned by the manual adjustment of the valves for returning the valves to their original positions, stop means for arresting the return of the valves in said intermediate position, and float operated means controlled by change of level of the supply of regenerating fluid in response to valve adjustments for initially releasing the valves for unison movement from their operated positions and subsequently to their intermediate positions, releasing the arrested valves for completion or their return to their normal position under influence of said actuating spring. V

11. A water softening apparatus, wherein a supply of hard water is filtered through a treatment tank having a bed of base exchange material therein, followed by filtration of regenerating fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operations, characterized by a valved control unit supported upon the tank controlling the flow of hard water supply, regenerating fluid and wash water relative to the filter bed, a manifold unit interposed between the valved control unit and the treatment tank, a hard water supply conduit, a soft water service conduit and a drain conduit for brine and wash water connected thereto, and passages therethrough connecting the hard water supply conduit with the control unit and thence with the tank, connecting the soft water service conduit with the tank, and

conveying regenerating fluid and wash water from the control unit to the tank, the construction and arrangement being such that all external connections of the apparatus are affected through the manifold unit independently of connections directly with the control unit or tank.

12. A water softening aparatus wherein a hard water supply is filtered through a treatment tank having a bed of base exchange materials therein followed by filtration of regenerating fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operation, characterized by a control unit, valved passages therein directing the hard water sup-- ply, the regeneration fluid and wash water relaative to the filter bed, adjustable control Valves for said passages, actuating means for adjusting the valves in unison into successive positions, detent means for temporarily arresting the valves in their filter regenerating positions, and thereafter releasing the valves for actuation into their filter wash positions upon lowering of the fluid level of the regenerating fluid supply, said detent means being subsequently operative to release the arrested valves from said filter wash positions for actuation to their service positions upon subsequent elevation of the fluid level of the regenerating fluid supply, and a float responsive to fluctuations of the fluid level of the regenerating fiuid supply governing the detent.

13. A water softening apparatus wherein a hard Water supply is filtered through a treatment tank having a bed of base exchange materials therein followed by filtration of regenerating fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter oed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operation, characterized by a control unit, valved passages therein directing the hard water supply, the regeneration fluid and wash water relative to the filter bed, a series of movable valves therein controlling such flow, manual actuating means for shifting the valves from service positions to filter regenerative position, a retracting spring for automatically returning said valves to service positions, detent means for initially arresting the valves in their filter regenerating position and subsequently arresting them in their filter wash and regenerating fluid regenerating positions, and valve release means automatically effective 50 upon discharge of regenerating fluid through said bed for releasing the valves from their filter .regenerating position for actuation thence into their filter wash and regenerating fluid replenishing position under influence of said tensioned spring, said valve release means being further efiective upon replenishment of the regenerating fluid supply to release the valves from their last mentioned position for completion of their return to their service position.

14. A water softening apparatus wherein a hard water supply is filtered through a treatment tank having a bed of base exchange materials therein followed by filtration of regenerating fluid therethrough and the regenerated 65 filter bed washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle of operation, characterized by a control unit, valved passages therein directing the hard water supply, the regeneration fluid and wash Water relative to the filter bed, adjustable con- 70 trol valves for said passages, actuating means for adjusting the valves into successive positions,

a series of substantially aligned valves therein controlling such flow, a reciprocatory valve stem common to the series of valves, a manually oper- 76 able lever for actuating the valve stem and series o;'associated valves; in unison onone direction,

aretracting spring tensioned by the manual ac.-

tuation ofthe common valve. stem andseries i associatedvalves for returning said valves and common valve: stem to their initial positions, and;

governing means for restricting said return movement to a step by step movement responsive to: fluctuations of the fluid level of the regenerims, u d su ply- 151 A water softening apparatus wherein a hard water'supplyis filtered through a treatment tank. having aabed of base exchange materials therein followed by filtration of regenerating.

fluid; therethrough and the regenerated filter bed; washed preparatory to repetition of thecycle of operation, characterized by a control unit, valved passages therein directing the hard water supply the regeneration fluid and wash water relative to the filter bed, a series of valves thereincontrolling such-flow, a container for a supply .of regenerating fluid, a Venturi tube for a supply of Water under pressure discharging to said filter bed, a conduit ,for regenerating fluid leading from. said container to said Venturi tube through which a flow of regenerating fluid is induced by action ofthe discharge of Water under pressure for mixture therewith, an auxiliary discharge openingforwater under pressure tosaidventuri tube, controlled by one of the aforementioned series of valves and. elfective to destroy the suctiort in-fluence thereof. and arrest the induced flow ofregenerating fluid therethrough to the fl-lter'bed, and. common actuating means for simultaneously adjusting said series of valves.

through; step-by step movements into successive positions in predetermined sequence including.

the; valve for the auxiliary water discharge opening.

direct connection. with the valved control unit 18. A water, softening apparatusv wherein a hard water supply isfiltered through a bed of base exchangev material followed by filtration, of regenerating fluid therethroughand the filter bed finallywashed preparatory to. repetition of the cycle, characterized by a control unit controlling.

16-. Ina water softening apparatus wherein a.

hard water supply is filtered through a treat.-

menttank'having a bed of base exchange materialtherein, followed by flltrationof regenerating, fluid therethrough and the regenerated filter bed washed, and the supply oi. regeneratingfluid replenished a control unit periodically directing water and regenerating. fluid through the filter bed, a series of valves therein controlling such flow, actuating meansfor the valves, detent means, for arresting. the valves in successive positions of adjustment, float operated.

means for releasing the arrested valves for successive movements in accordance with fluctua-. tions of the fluid level of a supply of regenerating fluid, effective to release the valves from one position of, arrest upon. the descent of the float.

as the regenerating fluid supply isdepleted, and for releasing the valves from another position of. arrest upon rise of thefloat as the supply of regenerating fluid is replenished,

17. A, water softening apparatus wherein a hard water supply is conducted through a treat.- ment tank havinga filter bed of base exchange material therein, followed by a supply of regenerating fluid and the filter bed subsequently washed-bycirculation of more water therethrough preparatory to repetition of the cycle, charac-. terizedby a valved control unit. supported on the 'tanleand detachable. therefrom for directing water and; regenerating fluid through the filter bed in sequentialcycle, amanifold unit interposedbetween thetank and valved control unit,

exterior supply delivery and waste pipes connected to said manifold wholly independently of the flow of water and regenerating fluid relative to the filter bed, including a reciprocatory valve stem common to a plurality of valves, actuating meansth-erefor, av valve fixedly attached to the reciprocatory stem for unison-movement toward and from its seat, a second value relative to which the valve stem is capable of limited reciprocatory movement, a. C upling device for automatically interengag-ing the second valve and-stem for furthermovement in unison, and a spring urging the.

base exchange material'followed by filtration. of

regenerating fluid therethrough and the filter bed finally washed preparatory to repetition of the cycle, characterized'by a control unit controlling the fiow of water and: regenerating fluidrelative to the filter bed, including a reciprocatory valve stem commonto a; plurality of valves, actuating means for. said valve stem, a pair of valves relative to which-the stem is capable of independent movement, a coupling device for ln-- terengaging the reciprocatory stem alternately with the respectivewalves upon reversal ofythe direction of movement of the stem, tension springs separately urging the valves toward their. seats when disengaged from the stem, the; conother valve formovement toward'its seat under influence of its spring, and vice versa.

. EDWARD J. DE 'VILLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED srAT s PATENTS 616;,197 Moll er; Dec. 20, 1898' 1,144,758 Desmond ,June 29, 1915 1,271,805 Thurbe etal. ,J-uly 19, 1918 1,452,288 Caps Apr. 17, 1923 1,632,610- Lindsay June 14, 1927 1,866,890 Horvath July 12,. 1932 1,897,432 Klotzman Feb. 14, 193?, 1,913,238 Johnson June 6, 1933 1,935,458 Pick Nov. 14, 1933 1,937,325 Pick Nov. 28, 1933 1,976,906 Wa1dron. Oct. 16,1934 2,052,515 Pick' Aug. 25, 1986. 2,061,797 Eisenhauer Nov. 24, 1936, 2,067,808 Zimmerman et a1. Jan. 12,1937 2,146,983 Pick Feb. 14, 1939 2,188,487 Sharp Jan. 30,1940 2,309,032 Zimmerman Jan. 19., 1943 2,347,201 Lindsay Apr. 25, 1944; 2,372,640. Adler Apr. 3, 1945. 2,407,538 5 Sept. 10,1946 

